15 Secret Hacks for Successful Instagram Stories

Are you a creative with a business, just want to share your life with family, or looking to grow your reach? Instagram stories are the way to do this, if you aren't using them yet then you need to start today. Sharing 20 secrets that will make your Instagram stories stand out.

APPS I USE | I get asked daily what apps I use to create my stories and it's a couple! I use them for different things depending on what I want for that video.

  • TEZZA APP: this is how I get the dust, grain, and moody lighting.
  • Story Luxe: this is the cool retro frames and stickers
  • MADE: for collages
  • Canva: for collages or lits, anything that is super graphic artsy

THE BASICS |

When creating stories that you want your audience to engage with and continue watching, you have to create a STORY. For me, my stories are my real life so I just go through my day. I have found, I have had to be intentional when it comes to the layout, type of story, number of frames/times I post, etc.

  • try to post 1 time an hour the hours you are awake to keep your audience engaged with your content.
  • talking videos: keep it to maximum 4 frames and put text on these frames that sum up the idea you are talking about in those 15 secs. This keeps your audience engaged and in tune to your topic.
  • switch up the type of story you post, don't post the same type next to each other because if someone sits down and watches all your stories and they are all you talking or boomerangs, they will lose interest. SPLIT IT UP: talking frames, boomerang, still photo, you walking, talking frames, still photo, still photo, boomerang, video with music...
  • repost funny memes or sayings from other accounts that express your mood or thought. These are highly engaging and your audience loves to see your personality come through.
  • find a vibe that is YOU! color, text, overlays, etc. Don't be anyone else's curated theme, BE YOU!

ONE: Solid Color

I use this feature so I can write plain text vs posting a photo or video.

-First, take a random photo.

-Second, grab the pencil tool.

-Third, select the skinny point tool and pick a color you want.

-Fourth, hold down in the center of your photo for 3 seconds.

Solid color to draw or write on!

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out!

TWO: Colored Opacity on Photo

Follow the steps above but instead of the skinny point tool, grab the chisel pointed tool!

THREE: Location Tagging

ALWAYS use the location tagging. For caution, only post after you have left that location for your safety. Each location tag has its own Instagram Story connected to it so your story is likely to be seen by everyone else looking at that locations story! If you are a local business, this is SO important for you!

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out!

FOUR: Hashtags

Hashtags work for Instagram Stories much like they do for Instagram posts! Almost every hashtag has its own Instagram Stories. When you use hashtags in your stories, it has a chance to be inserted into that hashtags stories and will have a broader reach! It's also a great way to connect with more people on a subject you are passionate about or a family hashtag you want to see what everyone is doing that day.

Do this by either typing in the TEXT TOOL or use the HASHTAG STICKER.

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out by popular Portland blogger Topknots and Pearls

FIVE: Tag brands 

I will always tag a brand I am talking about in my Instagram story for a couple reasons. It's easier for anyone watching my story to find the product I am talking about and to share with the brand that I love their product. To do this, when typing out words, type @brandname to be able to select the option from there. See the example below.

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out by popular Portland blogger Topknots and Pearls

SIX: Film ahead of time 

The BIGGEST game changer for me since working full time and blogging. I film stories ahead of time. *insert shocking face emoji* When I have deadlines and know I can't do it on the day, I will film it ahead of time. This ensures I have the content ready for when I need to post. I make sure that the surrounding stories make sense with it on the day of posting though!

SEVEN: Story Concept

I try to not just post randomly, I try and be intentional with what I post. I want to tell a story with everything. Typically this means I won't just post one Instagram Story for one comment or thought, it will be a minimum of 2. Plus, if I am making fun of something stupid I did, then I have to give every funny detail otherwise I will be the only one laughing! AKA explaining the scenario of going around all day with a "black eye" from my makeup running after my eyes watered from allergies. #friendstellfriends these things!

EIGHT: Hand lettering

I am still trying to master this but this a great way to mix fonts in your Instagram Stories. Much like the Pinterest Pin concept, stacking fonts with different sizes and colors can draw attention to certain words or can just look beautiful that way! The best way to do hand lettering within the app is with a Stylus. If you are super talented doing this with your finger, send all your tricks my way please lol!

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out by popular Portland blogger Topknots and Pearls

NINE: Change drawing tool size

On the far left side of the color bar, there is a circle with 3 dots in it. Select that and move the lever up and down to select the size of line you would like to use!

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out!

TEN: Appearing Text like Video 

Download the app, Hype Type. This will change your Instagram stories forever! You can make your images pop. It's like videos for Pinterest images. Create something that will stand out to your followers and will speak to them. This is also a great way to share details that people are asking about.

ELEVEN: Full-color wheel option for fonts and drawing. 

When selecting a color from the color bar either in the TYPE area or DRAWING area, hold onto the colored dot and the full-color wheel will appear. Drag your finger to which color you want to use!

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out!

TWELVE: Change the background to text, hashtags, or location tag.

  • When using the text type tool, it will leave it a blank background. You can change this so that it pops against other backgrounds by selecting the [A] at the top. There are three options.
  • For the hashtag sticker, you can either have it the multi-color option or by clicking it with your finger it will change to a white text and transparent background.
  • The location tag is the same way as the hashtag sticker!

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out!

THIRTEEN: Text Alignment

You can change the text alignment in the top left-hand side of the screen when you are using the Aa option!

FOURTEEN: Change the sticker color

Some of the stickers located in the [:)] at the top portion of the screen can change color concept. I like to change mine to the white since this fits with my brand color scheme. You can change this just by clicking it with your finger! *not all stickers do this.

15 secret hacks to make your Instagram stories stand out by popular Portland blogger Topknots and Pearls

FIFTEEN: Resize your text, location tags, hashtags, and stickers. 

I always do this so it doesn't mess with the my photo or video concept. Resize by using two fingers holding down (on the text, location tag, hashtag, or sticker) and pull together. It can work in the same way to enlarge as well!

UPDATED FEATURES |

SIXTEEN: BE REAL!

The very best person to be is YOU. I share myself without makeup, fuzzy hair, in sweats majority of the time. It's important to be well rounded. I share my heart with my followers and current life events. I'm human too and I want people to know that.

SEVENTEEN: USE UP TO 3 FONTS

With the Instagram update, you can now use a ton of different fonts. I try and use up to 3 different fonts in my story at a time. Figure out what fits you and your brand! I love mixing "classic" all caps with the neon!

EIGHTEEN: SOLID LINE

This is seriously the best trick! I use solid straight lines in my stories daily. Use the "_" in your font keyboard repeatedly, it will create a solid line. You can then change the color, size, etc from there!

NINETEEN: MUSIC

You can now add music to your IG Story Videos or Photos. Click the "Music" button on the sticker area. You can search for a specific song or use the popular ones. Once you click the one you want, you can select the place in the song you want to play for your story. PS to make your "music" box disappear from the story but still work, drag the "box" off the screen! It will still play but won't distract from your content.

TWENTY: HIGHLIGHTS

YAS! You can save your stories to highlights for easy reference. The links you add to these (if you have 10K or more) stay active as well. You can't see any updates on analytics from here.

To make pretty highlight images use Canva.com. Use the custom dimension of: 1080 X 1920.

Change the background color to an on-brand color. Add a fun icon from their selection. Save and upload to your stories!

Edit your highlight and make "this" story image your cover photo. You DO NOT have to have this slide appear in your stories first, click the image icon when editing your highlight cover and all your images from your camera roll will appear there.

EASY!

I can't wait to see your beautiful Instagram Stories!

Previous
Previous

Tuscany in Dundee | Black Walnut Inn

Next
Next

#TBT to my High School Days | Zapzyt